the lyons housing review
The Lyons Housing Review embraces the need for increased self-build
The recently published Lyons Housing review, an independent review of the housing market by Sir Michael Lyons and sponsored by the Labour Party, has recognised the importance of self- and custom- build to the new homes and wider housing sector. The review identified advantages
for planning at community level for housing supply and suggests that at the neighbourhood level a more fine grained approach to allocating small sites can be taken. This should
be based on local knowledge and smaller sites identified, allocated and brought forward. The review believes that not only does this give communities greater control over development, it can support resurgence of development by small building firms and support self- build and co-operative ventures. It also suggests that creative solutions are also needed to provide
greater choice and incentives for potential older, downsizing self- and custom-builders. An expanded role for self-build or self-commis- sioned housing should also be encouraged and could have strong appeal to those looking to downsize by creating the opportunity to design a home to suit their lifestyle and aspirations.
Translating demand into new homes
Sir Michael Lyons and his review team also believes that another way to translate housing demand into new homes, without relying on conventional volume housebuilders, is by harnessing the increas- ingly local movement for self-built and custom-built homes. Both models of development were highlighted in evidence to
the review, particularly from the National Custom and Self Build Association and the custom-build developers Igloo and HAB. Both self- and custom-build are common in several European jurisdictions including France, Germany and the Netherlands. According to the evidence provided, the Netherlands has seen some 4,000 homes commissioned or built by residents in the last 10 years. However, in the UK self- and custom-build sectors remain nascent, despite efforts to encourage their growth by government and although
the National Planning Policy Framework requires councils to con- sider and plan for demand for self- and custom-build, it was evident to the review that a number of other barriers, to both self- and custom-build, exist.
Barriers to self-build
Unsurprisingly the review was told that the most significant barrier to self- and custom-build in the UK, by some margin, is the cost of acquiring land. According to the NaSCBA, 48 per cent of would- be self- and custom-builders have a budget of £200,000 or less, which is simply not enough to cover both construction costs and site acquisition in areas of highest housing demand such as London and the South East. It is suggested that the government’s efforts to date have focused
on reducing planning barriers and reducing costs at the margin (for example through a £30 million lending fund). Again hardly surprisingly, the review believes what the self- and custom-build sectors need to boost them is significant access to affordable land. As part of his self-build conclusions Sir Michael stated that: “We
believe that there is some scope for self- and custom-building to increase over time its prevalence in the UK to the sort of levels seen in European countries. It has been argued in evidence to the review that the potential is there for it to make a contribution of a further 10,000 or 20,000 units each year and these estimates do not seem implausible. “For this to happen, however, there are three preconditions. First,
land must be brought forward in plans for self- and custom-building in a way that allows for the kind of broad outline permissions usual in the Dutch and German models to be granted. This should be a consideration for local authorities in acting as master developer on assembled sites. Secondly, land needs to be made affordable upfront; this argues strongly for self- and custom-build to be made a priority use for publicly owned land where land can be invested in shared ownership and the recognition of social value can be more easily adopted. A more active role for local authorities in land assembly and facilitating partnership and the Housing Growth Areas and New Homes Corporations proposed by the review will have an important role to play in enabling non-traditional developers and custom builders to join the market by increasing the provision of sites not being provided by other developers.”
Oak-Framed Buildings –revised edition
Delve into the ancient craft of oak framing and un- cover the striking design of traditional timber framing with Rupert Newman’s
newly revised book Oak-Framed Buildings, published by the Guild of Master Craftsmen. With nearly 30 years of experience in the specialised trade, Newman explains his
craft to laymen and architects alike in this comprehensive and richly detailed book on building modern green-oak-framed buildings. Focusing on the British technique of oak-
framed construction, Oak-Framed Buildings sheds light on the historical technique that is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK and US. Showcasing the structural possibilities for oak-framed design, Newman brings crafts- manship and style to the forefront of every traditionally framed building. The possibilities
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tion of design lead projects with striking impact, explained with photographs and three-dimensional drawings. Become inspired by the beautiful frames and architectural designs on every page, reviving this stunning traditional form of architecture. RRP £24.99.
selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.co.uk
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